Bali to Nusa Penida: Fast Boats from Sanur, Prices and the New Island Fees
Short answer
Take a fast boat from Sanur harbour on Jalan Matahari Terbit: 40–45 minutes, departures from about 07:00 to 17:00, around Rp170,000–250,000 one-way. On the island, foreigners pay a Rp25,000 island levy and — since August/September 2026 — Rp25,000 per adult at each major viewpoint and beach. Both are cashless.
- Crossing
- 40–45 min from Sanur
- Boat, one-way
- about Rp170k–250k
- Island levy (foreigners)
- Rp25,000 adult
- Per attraction (since 2026)
- Rp25,000 adult
The crossing in short
| Sanur → Nusa Penida | |
|---|---|
| Departs from | Sanur harbour, Jalan Matahari Terbit (north Sanur) — terminal building, boarding from a dock |
| Crossing | 40–45 minutes |
| First / last boat | about 07:00 / about 17:00 (return last boats also around 17:00) |
| Price, one-way | about Rp170,000–215,000 online, up to Rp250,000 at the booth |
| Arrives at | Mostly Banjar Nyuh (west, near Toyapakeh); some boats use Sampalan or Buyuk (north coast) |
| Operators | Many: Angel Billabong, Maruti Express, Semabu Hills, The Tanis, Idola Express and others |
Prices have risen since 2025; the old “Rp100,000 boat to Penida” no longer exists. Return tickets are usually a little cheaper than two singles, but tie you to one operator.
Sanur used to mean wading out to the boat with your bags overhead. Since the passenger terminal and berth opened, you board from a dock in Sanur. On the Penida side, landing arrangements vary by operator and tide — wear shoes that can get wet and keep electronics in a dry bag.
Book ahead or buy at the harbour?
- Book ahead in July, August, around Christmas and New Year, and for the first boat of the day. Online tickets also often include hotel pickup in South Bali.
- Buy at the harbour the rest of the year. Several operators sell at desks in the terminal; compare two or three times before buying.
- Arrive 30–45 minutes early. The terminal fills up quickly before the 07:00–09:00 departures.
Fees on the island
Nusa Penida now charges visitors twice, both cashless (card or QR):
| Fee | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Island levy (foreigners only) | Rp25,000 adult, Rp15,000 child | Once, on arrival at the harbour |
| Per-attraction fee (everyone) | Rp25,000 adult, Rp15,000 child per site | At each major site: Kelingking, Broken Beach, Angel’s Billabong, Crystal Bay, Teletubbies Hill and others |
The per-attraction fees started in August or September 2026 (sources give 1 August, 12 August and 1 September) under a Klungkung regency regulation. A typical west-coast day with four stops costs a foreign adult about Rp125,000 in local fees on top of the boat. Day-tour prices may or may not include them — ask.
Day trip or overnight?
Day trip. Possible, but long: first boat out, roughly eight hours on the island, last boat back. The roads to Kelingking and the east coast are steep, narrow and badly surfaced in places. A driver is the sensible choice; a scooter only if you ride confidently on hills and gravel.
Overnight. One or two nights let you see the west coast one day and the east coast (Diamond Beach, Atuh) the next, and avoid the midday crowds at Kelingking. Most visitors who regret Penida did it as a rushed day trip.
If your flight lands in the afternoon, sleep in Sanur and take the first boat — the airport to Sanur guide has the drive times.
From other Bali harbours
Some boats leave from Kusamba (east of Sanur) and Padang Bai, mainly for travellers already staying in East Bali. From South Bali or Ubud, Sanur is the obvious harbour. Boats also connect Nusa Penida with Nusa Lembongan and the Gili Islands.
Sources
- detikBali — 30,709 passengers via Sanur harbour before Christmas — harbourmaster: 40–45 min crossing, departures from 07:00
- Bali.live — Sanur passenger terminal and speedboat berth opened — November 2023
- Nusapenida.org — how to get to Nusa Penida — fares, arrival points, updated September 2026
- Bali.live — Nusa Penida charges entry fees at every beach and viewpoint — August 2026
- Stamped Nomad — Rp25,000 per stop on Nusa Penida — Klungkung regulation 4/2026
- What's New Indonesia — Nusa Penida goes cashless for entry fees — August 2025